Around the Town: November 20, 2009

Thanksgiving

It’s hard to believe that the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us once again. This is the time of year when families come together to give thanks for our blessings and for the positive things in our lives.

Thanksgiving has been a tradition in the United States for several centuries, but the tradition actually extends beyond our country. In fact, the ancient Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, Chinese and Egyptians held harvest festivals and thanksgiving celebrations. Though the traditions may differ, there are common elements.

Letter: County Clerk Says Thank You

I would like to thank the wonderful residents of Nassau County for their support on Election Day. I am honored and privileged to have been re-elected to serve as your Nassau County Clerk.

I would also like to thank the many volunteers, colleagues, neighbors and friends who gave so much of their time and efforts in support of my re-election.

Senator Craig Johnson Testifies Before Senate Autism Hearing

Urges Passage of Bill to Require Coverage for Autism-Related Expenses

New York State Senator Craig M. Johnson, (D-Nassau), and representatives from Austim Speaks addressed the Senate Standing Committee on Insurance during an Oct. 23 hearing in Albany on the insurance industry’s role in the treatment of Autism. A video of his statement can be found at www.craigjohnson.nysenate.gov. Johnson’s prepared remarks are below:

Letter: Candidate Says Thanks

I would like to thank all of my supporters and volunteers for their dedication to my campaign for Nassau County Legislature and all those residents who wanted better for Valley Stream, North Valley Stream, Franklin Square, Elmont, West Hempstead, Bellerose Terrace and South Floral Park.  Their level of enthusiasm in working to bring change to our community was something I have never seen, and I am deeply humbled by your hard work and commitment.

I would also like to congratulate John Ciotti on his victory and for running a well-oiled campaign.

Letter: New Bottle Bill Requirements Begin Nov. 8

The New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR) is spreading the word that the extended Bottle Bill begins Sunday, November 8, 2009. The extended bill was originally set to begin this Saturday, October 31, but New York officials are giving retailers a “grace period” to comply with the new requirement (according to Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Maureen Wren).

What Every Long Islander Should Know: November 6, 2009

Hard Truths About Our Schools

Two studies were released this past month that should give Long Islanders a reality check on how we are educating our children. One provides data on student achievement, the other a close-up of five Long Island school districts.

The close-up study, conducted for The Long Island Index by Columbia University’s Teachers College, examined one wealthy, almost all-white district; one poor, minority district; and three districts with greater diversity. What the researchers found was vast inequity in education systems: in terms of teachers, academic programs, student support, and more.

From Sustainable Long Island: October 30, 2009

Housing Alternatives Would Benefit All

Housing on Long Island represents a microcosm of all the problems Long Island needs to address – from economic and social equity, smart growth, zoning challenges, and how to make fragmented government work better, inspire community action, and ensure that opportunity is more fairly distributed and readily accessible.

Help Families in Need by Donating Turkeys During Nov. 13 Drop-Off

Bethpage Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Cablevision, National Grid, Northrop Grumman and NY Islanders, invites the public to gather together in Bethpage on Nov. 13 for the collection of food urgently needed by Island Harvest for distribution this Thanksgiving.

The turkey and trimmings collection to benefit Island Harvest — Long Island’s leading hunger relief organization — will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the front parking lot of its headquarters at 899 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage.

Access to Election Ballots Available for Those Who Are Disabled

For the upcoming Nov. 3 General Election the Board of Elections will once again be providing the ImageCast Ballot Marking Device (BMD) at each polling location throughout the county for voters with handicapping conditions.

Ballot marking devices allow persons with disabilities to vote independently. The machine is a scroll through touch screen device equipped with an audio component to be used with headphones. The device is also equipped with a sip and puff feature; multiple language capabilities; digital format to allow for speeding up or slowing the reading of instructions or races; and alerts for over or under votes.

Visually impaired or blind voters can use a tactile keypad and earphones to make selections as a programmed synthesized voice reads the choices for each race. The machine confirms the ballot by reading back the choices and once the voter has made all selections, the machine imprints the ovals on the ballot. It is important to note that this device simply marks the ballot, but does not count the votes. The voted ballot is placed in an envelope and returned to the Board of Elections for processing and counting.

For voters who do not have a personal means of transportation, Long Island Bus provides Able Ride that can be arranged up to 7 days in advance by calling 228-4000 or 228-4002 (TTY).

Handicapped Accessible Voting Machine Demonstration

The Nassau County Board of Elections will have a handicapped accessible Ballot Marking Device (BMD) available for practice purposes at 400 County Seat Drive in Mineola beginning Tuesday, Oct. 27 through and including Monday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Access to the building will be in the rear with a handicapped accessible ramp. Board of Elections staff will be on hand to guide voters through the voting process. In order to ensure proper employee coverage during the visit to the Board of Elections, those who wish to practice on the device are asked to call the board prior to the visit at 516-571-VOTE.

For voters who do not have a personal means of transportation, Long Island Bus provides Able Ride which can be arranged up to 7 days in advance by calling 228-4000 or 228-4002 (TTY).

Town of Hempstead’s Senior Seasonal Flu Immunization Program

Registration for the annual Senior Citizen Seasonal Flu Immunization Program is now under way. Hempstead Town, in cooperation with Nassau University Medical Center, will be providing seasonal flu vaccinations for senior residents age 60 or older at several town locations.

“Hempstead Town is pleased to be able to partner with Nassau University Medical Center once again to provide this valuable immunization program to area seniors,” Supervisor Kate Murray said. “The health and well-being of our seniors is a top concern to us here in the Town of Hempstead. The seasonal Influenza vaccine could prevent seniors from catching the flu or may lessen its severity.”